Man of Science

Art Historical Context

"Man of Science" is a captivating oil on canvas painting from 1839, created by an anonymous American artist of the 19th century Measuring nearly 100 by 85 cm, this work exemplifies the robust portraiture tradition of early American folk art. Donated to the National Gallery of Art by collectors Edgar William and Bernice Garbisch—renowned for their passion for naive and vernacular American paintings—it now resides in the museum's American art collection. Painted during the Jacksonian, a time of rapid industrialization and scientific curiosity in the United States, the portrait likely celebrates...

About the Artist

American 19th Century

The artist cataloged as "American, 19th Century" represents a collective of unidentified painters active in the United States during the nineteenth century, with 380 known artworks preserved in this virtual museum's collection. These works span a diverse array of genres typical of the era, including portraits, landscapes, still lifes, and genre scenes, reflecting the burgeoning artistic output of ...